Review: Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a cold and callous gaming experience. There is no rest for the wicked, and every mistake is punished. However, once you get to grips with the fundamentals and you understand every survivor’s role, you can turn the zombie tide. This hellish survival game will kick you in the balls repeatedly. Furthermore, it’ll make you scream as you make mistake after mistake. Yet, it is truly rewarding, and this makes it moreish as hell.

This side-scrolling survival adventure title was developed by PikPok and published by PikPok and Boltray Games. It is a single-player game filled with lore, danger, and many twists and turns. You begin with 2 desperate survivors. Their skills complement one another, but outside influences ensure that things rarely go to plan. Consequently, you must think on your feet and be prepared to run if you wish to stay alive.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days tells a tale of woe.

It is the year 1980. Walton City has fallen to a zombie apocalypse, and pockets of survivors hide in houses and shops. Everyone is out for themselves, and crime and illegal trading thrive as a consequence. Your pair of survivors must learn to adapt to this new, harsh world or become one with the zombie horde!

The setting is fantastic, and I loved the nod to retro arcades and old-school diners. Furthermore, there are newspaper articles and other elements that help to cement your place in the timeline. However, under the veil of death and doom is an underground crime syndicate that wishes to thrive! Do you trust this group of menacing individuals, or do you trust your instincts and try to find your path out of the city?

Trial and error.

Death is permanent, and mistakes are costly. Yet, it is trial and error that sits at the fore. Every expedition requires you to avoid direct contact with the zombies. Sneaking around and stealth-killing them is a must. However, occasionally, you must tackle each brain muncher head-on. Alternatively, you can run for the hills and hope that nothing gets in your way.

Each day is split into a night and day element. Survivors may execute tasks around the base, such as cooking, crafting, repairing barriers, or sleeping. On top of this, they must manage their health, hunger, sanity, and exhaustion levels. This is easier said than done, however. You must find ingredients to make food and time to entertain each survivor. Moreover, resources must be scavenged to make weapons, ammo, and other important elements of the base. It is a constant juggling act and something that can feel overwhelming.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days looks amazing.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days focuses on a dark and grim aesthetic. The colour palette is sombre and gritty. Furthermore, there is blood, gore, and loss at every corner. The city is decimated, and zombies hide in the shadows. As you venture into each location, you must use the dark to your advantage. Additionally, handy hiding spots can be used to avoid confrontation and create a stealth attack.

The audio will make your skin crawl. The snarls and moans of each zombie were horrific. Additionally, the creaking of buildings and the scurrying of angry foes will fill you with dread. The soundscape is particularly grim, and this enhances the deadly nature of each expedition.

Fantastic controls.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days can be played with a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. I tested it with both and was impressed. The simple layout and responsive inputs make this a dream to play. Moreover, little practice is required to understand the basics. Though you will make mistakes, a handy guide can be accessed if you lose your way.

Replay value is at an all-time high. Death is permanent, and moving from shelter to shelter is a must if you wish to survive. Furthermore, the constant shifting quests requires you to move from place to place if you wish to reach each goal. This fluid approach may annoy gamers who like to set down roots. Yet, all your upgrades move with you, so there is nothing to fear. Moreover, if you stay in one place too long, the zombie horde is overwhelming, and death is all but guaranteed.

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is a great indie title.

Although Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days is an Early Access experience, it is fantastic to play. The developer has done an amazing job with every aspect, and I loved every minute. Yes, there are graphical issues and some areas that require balancing, but these elements will be ironed out as the game evolves. Additionally, more scenarios will be added, and the game will flourish as a consequence. Accordingly, I think it’s amazing, and I recommend buying it here! Can you escape the city and survive? Sneak, steal, and fight your way to survival.